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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Paul Farquhar" data-source="post: 7596323" data-attributes="member: 6906155">In real life people die or are seriously injured as a result of silly accidents all the time. My partner sustained a serious injury falling of a chair whilst cleaning windows. (although since that was a swivel chair, I think it might have been a failed wisdom check rather than Athletics).In D&D the question to ask is "does it make for a good story?" Obviously a hero dying as a result of a stupid accident does not usually make for a good story. However, if the heroes are traversing a hostile environment, then a close run thing doesn't hurt.The trick is, the failed roll isn't 100% fatal. If the character falls I might allow a dex saving throw in order to grab something - cliffhanger serials are full of these, there is a good one in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Or someone could grab the dwarves' beard. Or, if the chasm is bottomless, there is plenty of time to cast Levitate or wildshape into a flying squirrel (since it can't actually fly, level 8 not needed).The trick is to remember you are telling a story (which is fun) not simulating real life (which is random and stupid).</blockquote>